• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.315-330
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• 2017

The aim of this study is to examine the damage of plants in the islands due to the habitat and feeding of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and to suggest future management plan. The survey area Beomseom Island is found to be a vegetation distribution type that was formed secondary by the exposure of artificial interference except for evergreen vegetation distribution and European rabbit showed high habitat track density mainly in the lumbering area. Kkamakseom Island was identified as a severe vegetation distribution area due to interference, and European rabbit showed high habitat track density around deciduous broad leaved forests. Feeding plants of European rabbit was identified as a total of 12 families 17 breeds. Total 9 families 11 breeds were found in Beomseom Island while 5 families 6 breeds were found in Kkamakseom where most available food resources were loss to European rabbit. As for vegetation index of Beomseom Island, about 6.6% of total island area was declined and the vegetation index of Kkamakseom Island was reduced at most area of the island. In Kkamakseom Island, the area where EVI decreased to less than -0.008 unit/yr was reduced to 5.2%, and the area where it was reduced to -0.008 to -0.006 unit/yr in total was 13.32% of the total area. Thus, it was estimated to be seriously damaged by vegetation. Therefore, immediate management is required.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.spc
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• pp.1-69
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• 2023

This study aims to establish a comprehensive, synthetic inventory system for the fauna and flora of Dokdo Island, Republic of Korea, which has been conducted by a specialized research group consisting of more than 50 experts. The research was conducted over five years(2015-2019) and supported by the National Institute of Biological Resources, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. All possible publications on the fauna and flora of Dokdo Island over the last 68 years from 1952 to 2020 were reviewed. As a result, 1,302 species were found on Dokdo Island during the study period. An updated list of 1,963 species was created. This is expected to be of great help for the conservation and national publicity of important indigenous biological resources of Dokdo Island.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2016

In order to reconstruct a benthic foodweb structure and assess the role of benthic microalgaes as a diet source for benthos, we analyzed the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of diverse benthos (bivalves, crustaceans, gastropods and fishes) and potential diets (particulate organic matter, sedimentary organic matter, benthic microalgae, seagrass, and macroalgaes) in the intertidal mudflat surrounding Yeongheung Island. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of the diets indicated wide ranges (- 26.5‰ to - 8.4‰) while benthos showed a small range of ${\delta}^{13}C$ values (-12.1‰ to - 17.8‰), although they were in the same range. Except for green algaes among the macroalgaes as well as sedimentary organic matter, ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of the diet candidates ($5.7{\pm}1.0$‰) were lighter in comparison to those of the benthos ($11.8{\pm}1.9$‰). Based on the ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ data, the benthos were classified into 3 groups, indicating a different diet and trophic position. But benthic microalgae is the most important diet source for all three benthos groups based on their stable isotope ratios, suggesting benthic microalgae should be a main diet to the intertidal ecosystem. Hence this study highlights that the biomass of benthic microalgae as biological resource should be evaluated for the management of the intertidal ecosystem of Yeongheung Island.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.439-455
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• 2018

Hanon made in the largest maar crater in Korea, is the only paddy field ecosystem in Jeju Island that has been conducting rice farming, for the past 500 years. Flora surveys were conducted eight times, 2015-2018, to understand floristic characteristics and a restoration plan of the study area. As a result, vascular plants of Hanon paddy fields were listed 225 taxa that consist of 55 families, 151 genera, 194 species, 1 subspecies, 25 varieties, and 4 forms. The taxonomic group including the most species, was Gramineae (36 taxa). The next families were Compositae (29 taxa), Cyperaceae (20), Leguminosae (13), and Polygonaceae (11). Biological type of the Hanon was $Th-R_5-D_4-t$ type. The rare plants revealed 3 taxa; Ottelia alismoides(L.) Pers., Acorus calamus L., Pseudoraphis ukishiba Ohwi. Endemic plant revealed 1 taxon; Saururus chinensis(Lour.) Baill. Forty three taxa were naturalized plants composed of 15 families, 24 genera, 41 species, and 2 varieties. The urbanization index and naturalized index were 13.3% and 16.9%, respectively. The Hanon has high plant diversity, including endemic plant and rare plants, and is the only rice paddy in Jeju Island. So, the Hanon has sufficient values in ecological and socio-cultural aspects, so it should be maintained continuously in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.126-132
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• 1997

Nanji-do is an island in Seoul, the area is 272ha, and in which gad was piled up waste discharged from Seoul metropolitan for 15 years(form March 1978 to March 1993). The volume of waste is 92, 000, 000m$^{2}$. The actual vegetation area of Nanji-do is 191ha, and the area of woody plant is 31ha. The rest area is covered by herbaceaus plant. In actual vegetation area of woody plant, Robinia pseudoacacia community and Salix pseudo-lasiogyne community are 83%. The soil pH is alkaline, though general soil pH is acid in Seoul. There is no relation with soil condition and actual vegetation. The result of this study, actual vegetation of Nanji-do don't help the establishment of vegetation restoration after soil stabilization construction. And so following a countermeasure is proposed. 1) Selection of adequate species by an experiment of planting pioneer species, native species, and dietary species 2) Establishment of an adequate planting plan and development of slope stabilization method by planting of native species 3) Establishment of a restoration plan of animal ecosystem by survey for animal ecosystem

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.438-453
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• 2019

Background: To investigate the trends of succession occurring at the Pinus thunbergii forests on the lowlands of Jeju Island, we quantified the species compositions and the importance values by vegetation layers of Braun-Blanquet method on the Pinus thunbergii forests. We used multivariate analysis technique to know the correlations between the vegetation group types and the location environmental factors; we used the location environment factors such as altitudes above sea level, tidal winds (distance from the coast), annual average temperatures, and forest gaps to know the vegetation distribution patterns. Results: According to the results on the lowland of Jeju Island, the understory vegetation of the lowland Pinus thunbergii forests was dominated by tall evergreen broad-leaved trees such as Machilus thunbergii, Neolitsea sericea, and Cinnamomum japonicum showing a vegetation group structure of the mid-succession, and the distribution patterns of vegetation were determined by the altitudes above sea level, the tidal winds on the distance from the coast, the annual average temperatures, and the forest gaps. We could discriminate the secondary succession characteristics of the Pinus thunbergii forests on the lowland and highland of Jeju Island of South Korea. Conclusions: In the lowland of Jeju Island, the secondary succession will progress to the form of Pinus thunbergii (early successional species)→Machilus thunbergii, Litsea japonica (mid-successional species)→Machilus thunbergii (late-successional species) sequence in the temperate areas with strong tidal winds. In the highland of Jeju Island, the succession will progress to the form of Pinus thunbergii (early successional species)→Neolitsea sericea, Eurya japonica (mid-successional species)→Castanopsis sieboldii (late-successional species) sequence in the areas where tidal winds are weak and temperatures are relatively low. However, local differences between lowland and highland of Jeju Island will be caused by the micro-environmental factors resulting from the topographic differences and the supply of tree seeds. From the characteristics of succession study, we could properly predict and manage the Pinus thunbergii forest ecosystem on lowland and highland of Jeju Island.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1338-1348
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• 2019

The Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a unique natural ecosystem. The information available about this ecosystem, which contains lava caves with secondary carbonate speleothems, is sparse. Hence, extensive research is warranted for establishing a conservation standard. We commenced microbial research on the system and have been studying the microorganisms coating the lava tube wall to acquire fundamental information for understanding the lava cave ecology of Jeju Island. Samples were collected from yellow-colored walls in six caves that are part of the system-the Bengdwi, Utsanjeon, Bukoreum, Manjang, Gimnyeong, and Yongcheon caves. This study focused on yellow walls as it is the most easily distinguished color. According to previous studies, the color of cave walls is attributed to microorganisms or their components. To determine whether the yellow mats from the Jeju lava tube walls are caused by microorganisms, we examined samples at the microscopic scale, by staining mats and analyzing bacterial isolates from glitter particles. As a result, we found that the yellow walls of lava tubes are comprised of microbial mats.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.653-662
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• 2003

Changes in the area of geo-ecosystem $(62^{\circ}09'S,\;58^{\circ}31'w)$ reflect climatic changes in the South Shetland Islands. Air temperature and deglaciation will increase. The ice-free space area at the SSSS 8- (ASPA 121) site has enlarged threefold during the last 21 years, thus creating conditions for inhabitation and succession. Wind, water and snow play important roles in transportation of geochemical components. They distribute nutrients, mineral substances, seeds, fragments of plants and animals, etc. Plant and animal colonization is patchy and it happens at random in an 'island' - like manner. The colonization pattern is dependant, to a high degree on physical factors. The newly uncovered ice-free areas are at first inhabited by a vascular plant known as the Deschampsia antarctica. The border of the land-oasis with Admiralty Bay is the place where the processes related to animal feeding at the sea and reproduction on the land take place. Bird colonies and pinniped lairs form centers of fertilization surrounded by high chemical gradients dependent on the direction of the flow of nutrients $(e.g.\;NH_4)$. During the last 25 years, the numbers of penguins in this region have decreased, and thus the amount of materials excreted on land has diminished. The numbers of fur seals change in multi-annual cycles, and their migration into this area is related to the E1 $Ni\~{n}o$ phenomenon. The numbers of elephant seals in the area did not change. Organic matter deposited by the sea onto the shore are a source of nutrients and deficient chemical elements on land. Mineral matter is washed out into the waters of Admiralty Bay. These processes change seasonally, and multi annually. Negative effects on the environment at Arctowski Station induced by man are slight, but noticeable nevertheless. Physical processes have the largest influence on the living conditions and distribution of plants and animals, and as a consequence, on the functioning of the geo-ecosystem in the coastal-shore zone of the Maritime Antarctic.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2001

Dokdo is a volcanic island, and its formative geological age took place at the end of the Pliocene Epoch. Dokdo is located at 131。 52′33" East longitude, and 37$^{\circ}$ 14′18" North latitude, and is consituted of 87 islands. The total area of Dokdo is 0.186 $\textrm{km}^2$ and the length of its coastline is 4 km. Ookdo is a treasury of fish resources where many varieties of fish including squid and Alaska pollack live in abundance of greatest importance. Dokdo is a forward fishery base. Ullung island is located at 37$^{\circ}$ 27′~37$^{\circ}$ 33′North latitude and 130$^{\circ}$ 47′~130$^{\circ}$ 56′East longitude. The area of Ullung is 72.92 $\textrm{km}^2$ and the length of its seashore is 44.21 $\textrm{km}^2$. The total marine product of Ullungdo(1995) is 9,066 tons (M/T). The largest is squid, 8,900 tons. For the sea area of the depths near the Ullungdo, coast, that of 50m or less is 2,477 ha, and that of 50- 100m is 1,471ha. This fact tells us that there is no extensive area of a very shallow sea, and that it is directly connected to the deep sea. Ullungdo is a treasury of marine bioresources with rich and varied fishes including squid and Alaska Pollack and many others. Presently there is a sovereignty dispute over Dokdo between Korea and Japan. Since A.D.512, Dokdo has been a part of territory of Korea. Dokdo is a part of Kyungsang-Bukdo, Ullung-gun, Ullung-up, Do-dong in the Korean administrative district division system. Japan strenuously claims sovereignty for significant economic reasons, including fishery rights, and has adhered to a contradictory position that "Dokdo is Japanese land" since Japan incorporated Dokdo into Japanese territory in 1905.ritory in 1905.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.136-159
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• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of six islands belonging to the Gogunsan Archipelago (i.e., Sinsi-do, Seonyu-do, Munyeo-do, Yami-do, Bian-do, and Duri-do) in the Korean Peninsula. As results of five field surveys from March to October of 2016, we have identified 575 total taxa, representing 527 species, five subspecies, 42 varieties, and one hybrid, placed in 358 genera and 118 families. Of these 575 taxa, four are endemic to Korea, six taxa are listed on the Korean Red List of threatened species, 67 are floristic regional indicator plants, and 74 are invasive alien species. In this study, we compared species richness among the islands, and find that the larger the islands, the higher the species richness. In the case of habitat affinity types, forest species were most common, followed by farmland, seacoast, bare ground and wetland species. From similarity analyses based on the composition of vascular plants, each island did not exhibit either local specificity or unique diversity. On the contrary, the proportion of invasive alien and ruderal species may increase by human activities. Investigations and analyses of island flora such as this are important to assess the current status of the flora, predict future vegetation patterns and the spread of the alien species, and establish managment plans of plant diversity.